Selective jackets and bands for customized assembly

ABSTRACT

A product and process involve providing customized jackets, units of which are characterized by a selection from an inventory of body construction units of a type having a zippered front from neck to waist and a selection from an inventory of decorative band construction units of a type having distinguishable color and design. The customized jackets are assembled by joining mating fasteners on the upper and lower edges of band constructions and corresponding upper and lower points on selected body construction sections. Extending from an appropriate body construction section is an elongated flap that overlaps the upper edge of the band construction to conceal the mating fasteners. The process comprises acquiring a relatively small inventory of body construction units of different sizes, acquiring a relatively large inventory of band construction units of different colors or designs, receiving orders for the customized combinations of body constructions and band constructions, assembling customized jackets as indicated by the orders, and delivering the jackets to the customer.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The applicant wishes to claim the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/294,939, dated May 31, 2001 for CUSTOMIZEDSPLIT FRONT JACKET WITH DECORATIVE BANDS AND ASSOCIATED INVENTORYPROCESS in the names of Barry Lipsett and Stina Shaw.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to casual, split-front jackets orthe like, which may be adorned with decorative bands that are intendedto provide a visual flourish that is appropriate for sports, parades,and like events.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] A casual zip-front jacket typically is characterized by aclothing construction that, when unzipped, may be slipped on and offreadily. Such jackets often are provided with decorative bands or thelike, which are chosen by individuals or organizations as a matter ofpersonal preference or as an emblem of group identity. In view of themany different colors and designs that often are ordered for immediatedelivery, sales organizations that carry such casual zip-front jacketshave had to maintain unduly large and costly inventories in order toaccommodate a diversity of customers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide, forconvenient assembly as a customized jacket unit: (1) a body constructionhaving a full front zipper configuration and (2) decorative bandconstructions having distinguishable color and design for readyaffixation to the body construction. These band constructions include:(a) a pair of aligned band constructions on the front of the bodyconstruction at opposite sides of the front zipper configuration and (b)optionally, a single band construction across the back of the bodyconstruction. To enable such assembly, each body construction, whichaccounts for the major component of unit cost, is completely fabricatedexcept for the decorative band constructions. Available for attachmentto the body construction are any of a great variety of bandconstructions of different colors and designs, each of whichindividually accounts for a minor component of unit cost. As a practicalmatter, such an inventory includes a relatively small number of bodyconstructions in a range of sizes, and a relatively large number of bandconstructions in a variety of colors and designs. By virtue of theforegoing assembly system, keeping an economical inventory is feasible.

[0009] It is desired that the assembly of each body construction andband construction appears to be a unitary original manufacture. Becauseof the acute sensitivity of the human eye to even a minor misalignmentor discontinuity, the present invention provides the followinginterconnections. At the upper and lower edges of each band constructionand at corresponding upper and lower points on the body construction aremating fasteners. Extending from the body construction are elongatedflaps that overlap the upper edges of the band constructions. Since,ordinarily, the human eye looks downwardly at the band constructions,the flaps mask the fasteners and any visual discontinuities at theirupper edges. Also, since, ordinarily, the human eye looks downwardly atthe band construction, the fasteners and the shadows, which mightconstitute a visual discontinuity at the band's lower edge, are notcasually noticeable. Furthermore, since the mating fasteners areprecisely located on the band and body constructions, misalignment isprecluded during assembly. Preferably, the mating fasteners at the upperedges of the band constructions are constituted by the continuousfasteners, such as zippers, which extend continuously throughout theupper edges of the band constructions for the purpose of preventingnoticeable wrinkles.

[0010] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent inlight of the following drawings and detailed description of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of thepresent invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a front view of a front-zip jacket embodying the presentinvention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a back view of the jacket of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the construction of the jacketof FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3; and

[0015]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the inventory process of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 1. The Jacket of FIG. 1 through 3

[0017]FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention as a body construction 20 and a plurality of bandconstructions 22, 24, 26. The body construction 20 comprises a yoke 28that extends over the shoulders, about the neck, and around the upperbody, a midriff 30 that surrounds the medial body, an optional pair ofsleeves 32 and 34 that extend from the yoke 28 and midriff 30, and anoptional hood 36 that extends upwardly from the yoke 28. The bandconstructions 22, 24, 26 blend with the body construction 20 to providea smoothly integrated appearance.

[0018] Midriff 30 includes a lower edge 57, a front midriff section 38,and a back midriff section 40. Front midriff section 38 is split into aright front midriff panel 42 and a left front midriff panel 44. Yoke 28includes an upper edge 55, a front yoke section 46, and a back yokesection 48. Front yoke section 46 is split into a right front yoke panel50 and a left front yoke panel 52. A vertical fastener 54, such as azipper, microhook/microloop fastener, series of snaps, series ofbuttons, or the like, 54 extends from the yoke upper edge 55, betweenthe right front yoke panel 46 and left front yoke panel 48, between theright front midriff panel 42 and left front midriff panel 44, to thebottom edge 57 of midriff 30. Seams along lines 56 and 58 join the sideedges of the front midriff section 38 and back midriff section 40. Seamsalong lines 60 and 62 join the lower edge of yoke 28 to the upper edgeof midriff 30.

[0019] Sleeves 32 and 34 are formed by loops having longitudinal seams64 and 66 which extend from the armpits to the wrists. The innerextremities of the sleeves are joined to yoke 28 and midriff 30 by seams65 and 67. The outer extremities of the sleeves have cuffs 68 and 70,which can be constricted tightly about the wrists by microhook/microloopstraps 72 and 74. Front midriff section 38 has pockets 76 and 78, whichare provided with zippered closures.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are three band constructions, aright band construction 22, a left band construction 24, and a back bandconstruction 26. The right band construction 22 and left bandconstruction 24 are horizontally aligned on opposite sides of thevertical fastener 54. Since it is preferred that all three bandconstructions are attached in the same manner, the following descriptionrelative to the right band construction 22 applies to all of the bandconstructions.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the band construction 22 is affixed to themidriff 30 by continuous fasteners 80, such as zippers ormicrohook/microloop fasteners, at the upper edges of the bandconstructions 22, and by a pair of discrete fasteners 82, such as snapsor buttons, at the lower corners of the band constructions 22. In FIG.3, one such continuous fastener is shown as a zipper and one suchdiscrete fastener is shown as a snap. The zipper has mated lengths ofarticulations, one length of articulation 84 extending along the upperedge of the band construction 22 and the other length of articulation 86extending along the midriff 30. Each snap has a female component 88 atthe lower corners of each band construction 22 and a male component 90at corresponding location on midriff 30. The lower peripheries of yoke28 provide flaps 92 for concealing the upper edge 96 of bandconstruction 22 and the continuous fastener 80 extending there along. Inan alternative embodiment, the continuous fastener 80 is replaced by aseries of discrete fasteners.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, jacket construction 20 includes a shell and alining 94. The shell includes the aforementioned midriff 30, yoke 28,sleeves 32, 34, and hood 36. The lining 94 backs the shell and isfastened to it by stitching at peripheral locations. In various forms,the shell preferably is composed of one of the following: a taffeta-typefabric such as 210T taffeta nylon, a high spun nylon taslon-like orTactel fabric, and a brushed fleece knit. Preferably, the lining 94 iscomposed of a flannel-type fabric, which is characterized by a napped,soft surface.

[0023] 2. The System and Process of FIG. 4

[0024] The present invention contemplates the acquisition by adistributor or retailer, as at 110 and 112, of inventories of bodyconstructions of different sizes, as at 114, and inventories of bandconstructions of different colors and designs, as at 116. For example,the body constructions cover the following selections of sizes:Small/Medium, Large/X-Large, and XX-Large/XXX-Large. The selections ofthe lengths, i.e., the horizontal dimensions, of the bands arecommensurate with the selections of the body construction sizes.Preferably the bands range in height, i.e., in vertical dimension, from2 to 6 inches. Thus, the continuous fasteners and flaps for larger sizesare longer than the continuous fasteners for smaller sizes. Also, thediscrete fasteners at the lower corners of the bands for larger sizesare farther apart than the snaps at the lower corners of the bands forsmaller sizes. When an order is received, as at 118, the sellerassembles the customized jackets, as at 120, and ships or otherwisedelivers them, as at 122, to the customer.

OPERATION

[0025] Each customized unit comprises (1) a casual body construction;and (2) a band construction having distinguishable color and design foraffixation to the body construction. The inventory of bodyconstructions, which accounts for the major component of unit cost, iscompletely fabricated except for the decorative band or bands. Availablefor attachment to the body construction are any of a great variety ofbands of different colors and designs, each of which individuallyaccounts for a minor component of unit cost. By virtue of the foregoingassembly arrangement, an economical inventory arrangement is feasible.Such an inventory includes a relatively small number of bodyconstructions in a range of sizes, and a relatively large number of bandconstructions in a variety of colors and designs. At the upper and loweredges of the band construction and at corresponding upper and lowerpoints on the jacket construction are mating fasteners. Extending fromthe jacket construction is an elongated flap that overlaps the upperedge of the band construction. Since, ordinarily, the human eye looksdownwardly at the band construction, the flap masks the fasteners andany visual discontinuity at its upper edge. Also, since, ordinarily, thehuman eye looks downwardly at the band construction, the fasteners andthe shadows, which constitute the visual discontinuity at its loweredge, are not casually noticeable. Furthermore, since the matingfasteners are precisely located on the body and band constructions,misalignment is precluded during assembly. Preferably, the matingfasteners at the upper edge of the band construction are constituted bycontinuous fastener, which extends across the upper edge of the bandconstruction for the purpose of preventing noticeable wrinkles.

[0026] Thus it has been shown and described a jacket and inventoryprocess which satisfies the objects set forth above.

[0027] Since certain changes may be made in the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the present invention, it isintended that all matter described in the foregoing specification andshown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

We claim:
 1. A jacket comprising: (a) a body construction including ayoke and a midriff, said yoke extending over the shoulders, about theneck, and around the upper body, said yoke including a lower edge, anupper edge, a front yoke section, and a back yoke section, said frontyoke section having a right front yoke panel and a left front yokepanel, said midriff extending around the lower body, said midriff havinga lower edge, a front midriff section, and a back midriff section, saidfront midriff section having a right front midriff panel and a leftfront midriff panel; (b) a vertical fastener extending from said yokeupper edge, between said left front yoke panel and said right front yokepanel, between said left front midriff panel and said right frontmidriff panel, to said midriff lower edge; (c) a right band constructionhaving an upper edge and lower corners and being affixed to said rightfront midriff panel by a right elongated fastener and a right pair ofdiscrete fasteners, said right elongated fastener having a component onsaid right band construction upper edge and a mating component on saidright front midriff panel, said right pair of discrete fasteners havinga component on each of said right band construction lower corners andmating components on said right front midriff panel; (d) a left bandconstruction having an upper edge and lower corners and being affixed tosaid left front midriff panel by a left elongated fastener and a leftpair of discrete fasteners, said left elongated fastener having acomponent on said left band construction upper edge and a matingcomponent on said left front midriff panel, said left pair of discretefasteners having a component on each of said left band constructionlower corners and mating components on said left front midriff panel;(e) said right band construction and said left band construction beinghorizontally aligned on opposite sides of said vertical fastener; (f) aright flap extending from said right front yoke panel lower edge adaptedto conceal said right band construction upper edge and said rightelongated fastener; and (g) a left flap extending from left right frontyoke panel lower edge adapted to conceal said left band constructionupper edge and said left elongated fastener.
 2. The jacket of claim 1wherein said body construction includes a lining.
 3. The jacket of claim1 wherein said elongated fasteners are zippers.
 4. The jacket of claim 1wherein said discrete fasteners are snaps.
 5. The jacket of claim 1wherein each of the elongated fasteners is a series of snaps.
 6. Ajacket comprising: (a) a body construction including a yoke and amidriff, said yoke extending over the shoulders, about the neck, andaround the upper body, said yoke including a lower edge, an upper edge,a front yoke section, and a back yoke section, said front yoke sectionhaving a right front yoke panel and a left front yoke panel, saidmidriff extending around the lower body, said midriff having a loweredge, a front midriff section, and a back midriff section, said frontmidriff section having a right front midriff panel and a left frontmidriff panel; (b) a vertical fastener extending from said yoke upperedge, between said left front yoke panel and said right front yokepanel, between said left front midriff panel and said right frontmidriff panel, to said midriff lower edge; (c) a right band constructionhaving an upper edge and lower corners and being affixed to said rightfront midriff panel by a right elongated fastener and a right pair ofdiscrete fasteners, said right elongated fastener having a component onsaid right band construction upper edge and a mating component on saidright front midriff panel, said right pair of discrete fasteners havinga component on each of said right band construction lower corners andmating components on said right front midriff panel; (d) a left bandconstruction having an upper edge and lower corners and being affixed tosaid left front midriff panel by a left elongated fastener and a leftpair of discrete fasteners, said left elongated fastener having acomponent on said left band construction upper edge and a matingcomponent on said left front midriff panel, said left pair of discretefasteners having a component on each of said left band constructionlower corners and mating components on said left front midriff panel;(e) a back band construction having an upper edge and lower corners andbeing affixed to said back midriff section by a back elongated fastenerand a back pair of discrete fasteners, said back elongated fastenerhaving a component on said back band construction upper edge and amating component on said back midriff section, said back pair ofdiscrete fasteners having a component on each of said back bandconstruction lower corners and mating components on said back midriffsection; (f) said right band construction and said left bandconstruction being horizontally aligned on opposite sides of saidvertical fastener; (g) a right flap extending from said right front yokepanel lower edge adapted to conceal said right band construction upperedge and said right elongated fastener; (h) a left flap extending fromsaid left front yoke panel lower edge adapted to conceal said left bandconstruction upper edge and said left elongated fastener; and (i) a backflap extending from said back yoke section lower edge adapted to concealsaid back band construction upper edge and said back elongated fastener.7. The jacket of claim 6 wherein said body construction includes alining.
 8. The jacket of claim 6 wherein said elongated fasteners arezippers.
 9. The jacket of claim 6 wherein said discrete fasteners aresnaps.
 10. The jacket of claim 6 wherein each of the elongated fastenersis a series of snaps.
 11. An inventory method comprising the steps of:(a) acquiring an inventory of body constructions of different sizes,each of said body constructions including a yoke, a midriff, and avertical fastener, said yoke extending over the shoulders, about theneck, and around the upper body, said yoke including a lower edge, anupper edge, a front yoke section, and a back yoke section, said frontyoke section having a right front yoke panel and a left front yokepanel, said midriff extending around the lower body, said midriff havinga lower edge, a front midriff section, and a back midriff section, saidfront midriff section having a right front midriff panel and a leftfront midriff panel, said vertical fastener extending from said yokeupper edge, between said left front yoke panel and said right front yokepanel, between said left front midriff panel and said right frontmidriff panel, to said midriff lower edge; (b) acquiring an inventory ofband constructions of different colors and designs, said bandconstructions having upper edges and lower corners; (c) receiving ordersfrom customers for customized combinations of selections of said bodyconstructions and selections of said band constructions; (d) assemblingsaid selections of said body constructions and said selections of saidband constructions to provide customized jackets pursuant to said orderswherein a right band construction is affixed to said right front midriffpanel by a right elongated fastener and a right pair of discretefasteners, said right elongated fastener having a component on saidright band construction upper edge and a mating component on said rightfront midriff panel, said right pair of discrete fasteners having acomponent on each of said right band construction lower corners andmating components on said right front midriff panel, said right frontyoke panel lower edge having a right flap extending therefrom andadapted to conceal said right band construction upper edge and saidright elongated fastener, and a left band construction is affixed tosaid left front midriff panel by a left elongated fastener and a leftpair of discrete fasteners, said left elongated fastener having acomponent on said left band construction upper edge and a matingcomponent on said left front midriff panel, said left pair of discretefasteners having a component on each of said left band constructionlower corners and mating components on said left front midriff panel,said left front yoke panel lower edge having a left flap extendingtherefrom and adapted to conceal said left band construction upper edgeand said left elongated fastener; and (e) shipping said customizedjackets to said customers.
 12. The inventory method of claim 11 whereinsaid body construction includes a lining.
 13. The inventory method ofclaim 11 wherein said elongated fasteners are zippers.
 14. The inventorymethod of claim 11 wherein said discrete fasteners are snaps.
 15. Theinventory method of claim 11 wherein each of the elongated fasteners isa series of snaps.
 16. An inventory method comprising the steps of: (a)acquiring an inventory of body constructions of different sizes, each ofsaid body constructions including a yoke, a midriff, and a verticalfastener, said yoke extending over the shoulders, about the neck, andaround the upper body, said yoke including a lower edge, an upper edge,a front yoke section, and a back yoke section, said front yoke sectionhaving a right front yoke panel and a left front yoke panel, saidmidriff extending around the lower body, said midriff having a loweredge, a front midriff section, and a back midriff section, said frontmidriff section having a right front midriff panel and a left frontmidriff panel, said vertical fastener extending from said yoke upperedge, between said left front yoke panel and said right front yokepanel, between said left front midriff panel and said right frontmidriff panel, to said midriff lower edge; (b) acquiring an inventory ofband constructions of different colors and designs, said bandconstructions having upper edges and lower corners; (c) receiving ordersfrom customers for customized combinations of selections of said bodyconstructions and selections of said band constructions; (d) assemblingsaid selections of said body constructions and said selections of saidband constructions to provide customized jackets pursuant to said orderswherein a right band construction is affixed to said right front midriffpanel by a right elongated fastener and a right pair of discretefasteners, said right elongated fastener having a component on saidright band construction upper edge and a mating component on said rightfront midriff panel, said right pair of discrete fasteners having acomponent on each of said right band construction lower corners andmating components on said right front midriff panel, said right frontyoke panel lower edge having a right flap extending therefrom andadapted to conceal said right band construction upper edge and saidright elongated fastener, and a left band construction is affixed tosaid left front midriff panel by a left elongated fastener and a leftpair of discrete fasteners, said left elongated fastener having acomponent on said left band construction upper edge and a matingcomponent on said left front midriff panel, said left pair of discretefasteners having a component on each of said left band constructionlower corners and mating components on said left front midriff panel,said left front yoke panel lower edge having a left flap extendingtherefrom and adapted to conceal said left band construction upper edgeand said left elongated fastener, and a back band construction isaffixed to said back midriff section by a back elongated fastener and aback pair of discrete fasteners, said back elongated fastener having acomponent on said back band construction upper edge and a matingcomponent on said back midriff section, said back pair of discretefasteners having a component on each of said back band constructionlower corners and mating components on said back midriff section, saidback yoke section lower edge having a back flap extending therefrom andadapted to conceal said back band construction upper edge and said backelongated fastener; and (e) shipping said customized jackets to saidcustomers.
 17. The inventory method of claim 16 wherein said bodyconstruction includes a lining.
 18. The inventory method of claim 16wherein said elongated fasteners are zippers.
 19. The inventory methodof claim 16 wherein said discrete fasteners are snaps.
 20. The inventorymethod of claim 16 wherein each of the elongated fasteners is a seriesof snaps.